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Chapter 8. Unit 8.1 to 8.3

Atoms also have very small masses, so it is not practical to use the actual masses of atoms in calculations. Chemists do not use actual masses of atoms and molecules in calculations. Relative masses are used instead.

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Chemists often compare masses of different atoms with the carbon-12 atom (an isotope of carbon). The relative atomic mass of an element is the average mass of one atom of the element when compared with 1/12 of the mass of an atom of carbon-12.
The average mass of one atom of an element

Relative atomic mass =

1/12 The mass of one atom of carbon-12

The symbol for relative atomic mass is Ar. Relative atomic mass is a ratio and has no unit. The relative atomic mass of each element is given in the Periodic Table.

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Many elements and compounds exist as molecules. For example, chlorine exists as molecules.

Cl Cl

Hence, we use relative molecular mass instead of relative atomic mass.

The relative molecular mass of a molecule is the average mass of one molecule of a substance when compared with 1/12 of the mass of one atom of carbon-12.
The average mass of one molecule of a substance

Relative molecular mass =

1/12 The mass of one atom of carbon-12

Like Ar, it is a ratio and therefore has no unit.

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How do we calculate the relative molecular mass of ammonia (NH3)?

How do we calculate the relative molecular mass of ammonia (NH3)? Ar of N = 14 Ar of H = 1 Mr of NH3 = 14 + 1 3 = 17

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How do we calculate the relative molecular mass of ethanoic acid (CH3COOH)?

How do we calculate the relative molecular mass of ethanoic acid (CH3COOH)? Ar of C = 12 Ar of H = 1 Ar of O = 16 Mr of CH3COOH = 12+13+12+16 2+1 = 60

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Ionic compounds consist of ions and not molecules. For ionic compounds, we use the term relative formula mass instead of relative molecular mass. The relative formula mass of an ionic compound is found by adding up the relative atomic masses of all the atoms in the formula.

Calculating Mr of MgSO4

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Calculating Mr of MgSO4
Ar of Mg = 24 Ar of S = 32 Ar of O = 16 Mr of MgSO4 = 24 + 32 + (16 4) = 120

Molecule
Magnesium sulphate

Chemical Formula MgSO4

Number of atoms in one molecule 1 Mg; 1 S; 4O

Calculating Mr
(1 x 24) + (1 x 32) + (4 x 16) = 120

Calcium carbonate

CaCO3

1 Ca; 1 C; 3O

(1 x 40) + (1 x 12) + (3 x 16) = 100

Calcium nitrate

Ca(NO3)2

1 Ca ; 2 N; 6 O

(1 x 40) + (2 x 14) + (6 x 16) = 164 (1 x 64) + (1 x 32) + (9 x 16) + (10 x 1) = 250

Copper(II) sulphate crystals

CuSO4 . 5H2O

1 Cu; 1 S; 9 O; 10 H

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Molecule
Magnesium sulphate

Chemical Formula MgSO4

Number of atoms in one molecule 1 Mg; 1 S; 4O

Calculating Mr
(1 x 24) + (1 x 32) + (4 x 16) = 120

Calcium carbonate

CaCO3

1 Ca; 1 C; 3O

(1 x 40) + (1 x 12) + (3 x 16) = 100

Calcium nitrate

Ca(NO3)2

1 Ca ; 2 N; 6 O

(1 x 40) + (2 x 14) + (6 x 16) = 164 (1 x 64) + (1 x 32) + (9 x 16) + (10 x 1) = 250

Copper(II) sulphate crystals

CuSO4 . 5H2O

1 Cu; 1 S; 9 O; 10 H